| Following is a guide for those who are planning to take | | | | details about current exam requirements. This points to |
| the Section 608 Technician Certification exams, | | | | the value that some test-takes may find in purchasing |
| mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency. In | | | | a reliable test prep/exam guide, one that is both |
| addition, the reader will find useful data that comes | | | | current and complete-covering all possible issues that |
| directly from resources published online by the United | | | | may be tested on the exams. |
| States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Anyone can access | | | | HVACR Career Outlook |
| these resources and learn what kind of job market | | | | To find out what it means to be certified in HVACR, |
| they might expect for heating, air conditioning and | | | | interested parties should look to the Bureau of Labor |
| refrigeration mechanics and installers through 2016. | | | | Statistics website bls.org. There they will find-as of the |
| Below are some basics about Section 608 to give | | | | time this article was published-that the outlook for this |
| interested readers an idea of what this EPA ruling is all | | | | type of career is promising. To optimize opportunities in |
| about. To find more details, visit the epa.gov website | | | | this field, it is suggested at this and other resources |
| and conduct a search on "608." Information can be | | | | that accredited tech schools and qualifying |
| located under link to "Brochures and Fact Sheets". | | | | apprenticeships are part of or precede taking exams. |
| | | | Technicians who specialize in HVACR should find |
| 1. Those who handle ozone-depleting substances or | | | | many opportunities, according to the Bureau of Labor |
| refrigerants (chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and | | | | Statistics, through the year 2016. To see the most |
| hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and their blends) | | | | recent evaluation of job prospects, visit bls.org. |
| must adhere to strict guidelines regarding the recovery | | | | Environmental health is a crucial issue and will continue |
| and recycling of these substances, as spelled out in | | | | to be so indefinitely. This is good news for the planet |
| Section 608 of the Clean Air Act of 1990. | | | | and for this career field, since government incentives |
| 2. Any individual who uses, recycles, recovers, sells or | | | | coupled with stricter regulations for commercial |
| reclaims these substances must answer to these | | | | enterprises will practically guarantee that HVACR |
| regulations. Anyone who handles refrigerant must first | | | | technicians will be kept busy removing old systems |
| prove that they are compliant. | | | | and installing energy-efficient systems that can make a |
| 3. A leak of fifty pounds or more in air conditioning or | | | | significant dent in CO2 emissions and other issues. The |
| refrigeration equipment requires repair. | | | | same holds true for refrigerant regulations, which will |
| 4. Any items destined for the waste stream that | | | | continue to create jobs for technicians needed to |
| contain refrigerants must be handles appropriately, with | | | | upgrade systems to meet current environmental |
| complete and safe disposal of any refrigerants as | | | | standards. In addition, population growth has not slowed |
| stated in the regulations. Section 608 Certification type | | | | nor does is show signs of abating. Thus, ever more |
| is categorized by appliance size: | | | | climate-controlled spaces will be created to |
| - I - small appliances (five pounds or less) | | | | accommodate more people in homes, businesses and |
| - II - medium-, high-, very high-pressure appliances | | | | industries around the globe. In addition, system |
| - III - low-pressure appliances | | | | replacement rates have historically been every ten to |
| - Universal certification covers all three levels To | | | | fifteen years. This natural need to replace old systems |
| prepare for EPA exams, candidates can use free or | | | | will also contribute to high HVACR employment rates. |
| for-fee online guides. A good place to begin before | | | | Finally, because new systems will most likely include |
| making a purchase or subscribing to one or another | | | | complex components and require hi-tech tools, |
| preparation tool online is the epa.gov site, which is | | | | do-it-yourself repairs will be minimized. Systems that |
| easily found through a search on "issues EPA | | | | malfunction or fail will require that an HVACR |
| certification test." Once the candidate understands | | | | technician pay a call. |
| what will be expected, they can take advantage of | | | | While burgeoning population growth and complicated |
| websites that provide opportunities to pracitce the | | | | heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems that |
| core and Type I sections of this test. However, it is | | | | limit do-it-yourself maintenance and repair are not |
| critical to note that the test will change from year to | | | | necessarily a desired reality, they are thus far reliable |
| year, staying updated with changes in technology and | | | | factors for the next 5-10 years at least. This bodes |
| in the industry. Using a current guide can be confirmed | | | | well for anyone with a natural interest in things |
| through accessing the Air Conditioning and | | | | mechanical and technical, ensuring that any investment |
| Refrigeration Institute, the Refrigeration Service | | | | of time and money now in Section 608 certification will |
| Engineer Society and the Air Conditioning Contractors | | | | be well worth it years down the road. |
| of America, all with websites that provide needed | | | | |